by Harvey Chartrand » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:49 pm
Orson Welles had a small but colorful role as an alcoholic homosexual ex-Major living in the African jungle in THE SOUTHERN STAR (1969), loosely based on a Jules Verne adventure story about a stolen diamond. I recall reading that the producer wanted Welles to do a nude scene but Orson refused. Ursula Andress starred in THE SOUTHERN STAR. Didn't anyone ask her to do a nude scene? Sad as it is to see Orson playing second fiddle to Andress and George Segal in a mediocre picture, Welles delivers a great performance – one of his last great acting turns. There really should be an Oscar category for best cameo. Welles would have won it hands down.